The words to this song have meant more and more to me as I have aged. Even tonight as I am living under a fair amount of stress I can still find relief knowing God is in control.
If I could only spend an hour with you ... I could talk about photography ... if that's all you would allow.
BUT, I guess I would rather simply tell you how Jesus has made my life joyous even in the dark trials of life. Jesus has changed my life and I am convinced that no matter how dark your situation ... Jesus can and will change your life too if you'll let Him.
Here are the words to the song, "No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus".
I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus,
Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true;
I would tell you how He changed my life completely,
He did something that no other friend could do.
No one ever cared for me like Jesus,
There's no other friend so kind as He;
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me,
O how much He cared for me.
All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me,
All my heart was full of misery and woe;
Jesus placed His strong and loving arms about me,
And He led me in the way I ought to go.
No one ever cared for me like Jesus,
There's no other friend so kind as He;
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me,
O how much He cared for me.
Ev'ry day He comes to me with new assurance,
More and more I understand His words of love;
But I'll never know just why He came to save me,
Till some day I see His blessed face above.
No one ever cared for me like Jesus,
There's no other friend so kind as He;
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me,
O how much He cared for me.
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Just Worship by Tommy Walker
I have included several photos I captured during my years on the road with a song I have always loved by Tommy Walker. At times in my life when I have felt so in awe of what I was seeing through a camera ... this is the music that kept running through my head. Sometimes while I am taking pictures, my camera just drops down in my hand to my side and I begin to take it all in through my eyes. Many things we can see just can't really be photographed. God made our eyes to see things that can't be grasped through anything made by Nikon. I attend church and can feel worship often in songs of praise to Jesus. However, a sense of worship is almost always felt when I am transfixed on the beauty of creation (that STILL exists) while by a brook or in a valley viewing soaring mountains. I hope you enjoy all things you see here ... and praise Him.
In Colossians 1:16, speaking of Jesus, it says, For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
Worship the King of Kings, Jesus, the Creator of all this beauty.
Have a great weekend.
NikonSniper Steve
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Katie's Story
Katie's Story from Granger Community Church on Vimeo.
Well, As most of you know I have been unemployed for the past few weeks. I appreciate all of the emails that have been sent to me. Your stories are incredible. Some of them have been of God's deliverance and some of you have been waiting on the Lord. Please know that I am praying for you.
I spent yesterday morning with Katie and I am helping her start her new blog. You can follow her at cling to the Rock. I have know Katie since her grade school years. She is an incredible story of hope found in Christ. Jesus still changes lives today! Write her a note of encouragement. Tell her that the "unemployed guy" sent you. This same God is able to meet your needs.
God bless you today.
NikonSniper Steve
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Thoughts At Easter 2011
Following the resurrection, Jesus appeared on many occasions to His disciples and He also appeared to as many as 500 people at the same time. Paul testified to these events and eventually gave his own life refusing to deny his eyewitness testimony to the risen Savior. Paul had formerly persecuted Christians and had even given approval for the killing of some of them, Then Paul met Jesus and discovered He had indeed risen!
Paul stated the truth of the resurrection in his letter to the Corinthians in this way: For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 3-6).
At the end of Jesus’ ministry here on earth, He met with the disciples on a mountain near Galilee for the last time before ascending into heaven. Jesus gave the disciples some final instructions at this meeting. Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19, 20)
Notice that Jesus did not say to do this, “if you feel like it”, or “if it’s convenient”, or “if you are a good public speaker”, or “if you will be treated well”, or “if you are perfect. Notice that this is a command to those who believe in Christ, not an option to excuse yourself from doing.
That is to say that Jesus knew the disciples:
a. wouldn’t always feel like it.
b. wouldn’t always find it convenient.
c. weren’t all great public speakers.
d. wouldn’t always be treated well.
e. and … were never going to be perfect.
In fact, Jesus knew they would be terrified at times, travel great journeys to find a willing ear, would be jailed, persecuted, tortured at various times and ways, and would eventually give their lives for making such a bold proclamation of truth.
Now in America like no previous time in human history, the message of Christ is shunned. The good news of Jesus payment for our sins is rejected more and more … even though more people than ever in America call themselves Christians. Isn’t this a bit odd?
Perhaps calling yourself a Christian and really believing in Christ are two very different things.
If you were driving home late at night in a winter storm on a 2 lane highway and you saw several cars approaching you flashing their lights like crazy …
You might say to yourself, “Hmmm, I believe there is danger ahead” and yet you might continue on your way approaching the danger exactly the same as before.
OR …
You might slow down, tell anyone in the car with you that there may be danger ahead, turn on your flashers, drive with your foot gently over the brake, turn down the blaring music, stop drinking your mug of coffee, end your phone conversation … and even stop texting.
Hey, here’s another quick question to think about. Would you be angry at the guys flashing their lights at you from the approaching cars in the storm or would you be glad they cared enough to do so? Just a question!
I believe that both of these drivers could say they believed there was danger ahead. But I believe that really only one of the drivers believed. Would you agree?
Perhaps, it would interest you to know that the Bible teaches there is a difference between these two “believers”. We all know talk is cheap … but somehow we might think we can fool God with lip service.
Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' (Matthew 7:21-23).
WOW! Powerful statement. Jesus said that. Who cares what I think! Nothing I think really matters but Jesus Christ made that declaration. I submit to you that THAT matters and that we ought to be mindful of His words.
I guess I am saying this:
First of all, I care enough to risk saying this to you (maybe I’m the guy flashing my lights). And IF I say I really care … and IF I say I really believe there is danger ahead … shouldn’t I be flashing my lights?
You could be sitting in a house that is on fire.
You might smell the smoke.
You might feel the heat.
You might hear the crackling furniture in the next room.
You might even see the brightness of flames flickering off walls in that room.
But I don’t think you really believe the house is on fire unless you move on your instincts and get out.
This means that belief without action is dead.
The Bible declared this is a similar way. In James 2:14, it says, “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?
I believe this can be applied by saying … something like, what good is it to say you believe the house is on fire if you are unwilling to do something about it?
If you know that deep down in your heart, your faith in Jesus Christ isn’t changing the way you live in any way, then I pray that you would consider these words and seek to change that. I pray that you would commit yourself anew or perhaps for the very first time to actively seek what Jesus would have you do for Him. I pray that when you one day stand before Jesus you are able to hear him say, Well done my good and faithful servant.
Lord bless you and all your family during the celebration of Easter.
He has risen! What glory! What a Savior!
NikonSniper Steve
Paul stated the truth of the resurrection in his letter to the Corinthians in this way: For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 3-6).
At the end of Jesus’ ministry here on earth, He met with the disciples on a mountain near Galilee for the last time before ascending into heaven. Jesus gave the disciples some final instructions at this meeting. Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19, 20)
Notice that Jesus did not say to do this, “if you feel like it”, or “if it’s convenient”, or “if you are a good public speaker”, or “if you will be treated well”, or “if you are perfect. Notice that this is a command to those who believe in Christ, not an option to excuse yourself from doing.
That is to say that Jesus knew the disciples:
a. wouldn’t always feel like it.
b. wouldn’t always find it convenient.
c. weren’t all great public speakers.
d. wouldn’t always be treated well.
e. and … were never going to be perfect.
In fact, Jesus knew they would be terrified at times, travel great journeys to find a willing ear, would be jailed, persecuted, tortured at various times and ways, and would eventually give their lives for making such a bold proclamation of truth.
Now in America like no previous time in human history, the message of Christ is shunned. The good news of Jesus payment for our sins is rejected more and more … even though more people than ever in America call themselves Christians. Isn’t this a bit odd?
Perhaps calling yourself a Christian and really believing in Christ are two very different things.
If you were driving home late at night in a winter storm on a 2 lane highway and you saw several cars approaching you flashing their lights like crazy …
You might say to yourself, “Hmmm, I believe there is danger ahead” and yet you might continue on your way approaching the danger exactly the same as before.
OR …
You might slow down, tell anyone in the car with you that there may be danger ahead, turn on your flashers, drive with your foot gently over the brake, turn down the blaring music, stop drinking your mug of coffee, end your phone conversation … and even stop texting.
Hey, here’s another quick question to think about. Would you be angry at the guys flashing their lights at you from the approaching cars in the storm or would you be glad they cared enough to do so? Just a question!
I believe that both of these drivers could say they believed there was danger ahead. But I believe that really only one of the drivers believed. Would you agree?
Perhaps, it would interest you to know that the Bible teaches there is a difference between these two “believers”. We all know talk is cheap … but somehow we might think we can fool God with lip service.
Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' (Matthew 7:21-23).
WOW! Powerful statement. Jesus said that. Who cares what I think! Nothing I think really matters but Jesus Christ made that declaration. I submit to you that THAT matters and that we ought to be mindful of His words.
I guess I am saying this:
First of all, I care enough to risk saying this to you (maybe I’m the guy flashing my lights). And IF I say I really care … and IF I say I really believe there is danger ahead … shouldn’t I be flashing my lights?
You could be sitting in a house that is on fire.
You might smell the smoke.
You might feel the heat.
You might hear the crackling furniture in the next room.
You might even see the brightness of flames flickering off walls in that room.
But I don’t think you really believe the house is on fire unless you move on your instincts and get out.
This means that belief without action is dead.
The Bible declared this is a similar way. In James 2:14, it says, “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?
I believe this can be applied by saying … something like, what good is it to say you believe the house is on fire if you are unwilling to do something about it?
If you know that deep down in your heart, your faith in Jesus Christ isn’t changing the way you live in any way, then I pray that you would consider these words and seek to change that. I pray that you would commit yourself anew or perhaps for the very first time to actively seek what Jesus would have you do for Him. I pray that when you one day stand before Jesus you are able to hear him say, Well done my good and faithful servant.
Lord bless you and all your family during the celebration of Easter.
He has risen! What glory! What a Savior!
NikonSniper Steve
Saturday, November 20, 2010
13 Minutes About Jesus
Would you listen to 13 minutes about Jesus?
The older I get the more I see and experience the harsh reality that this world is out to get you. This life is full of tough struggles. There are lightening bolts that hit every age group. Heartache and disappointment knock on everyone's door sooner or later. You could very easily be in a world of tough stuff right now. Perhaps you unemployed or under-employed? How do you cope with life now? Is it working?
Jesus is greatest story ever told. Some consider Him a crutch that weak people need to get through their Mondays. I know Him to be quite different than that. Jesus is alive and well and will return to reign as King of Kings on this earth! Jesus permanently changes hundreds of thousands of lives all over the world every year. The more that a nation experiences oppression, the more you see evidence of Jesus delivering freedom. People are being set free by Jesus as every hour passes. Just take 13 minutes and listen to Andy Stanley speak about The Message of Jesus. New life always begins by trusting and making a simple step to follow that lead. I challenge you to investigate Jesus for yourself.
Praying for you! May the Lord God of heaven and earth bless you all with abundant life!
NikonSniper Steve
Wanna hear more?
The Message of Jesus II,
The Message of Jesus III,
The Message of Jesus IV,
The Message of Jesus V,
The Message of Jesus VI
The older I get the more I see and experience the harsh reality that this world is out to get you. This life is full of tough struggles. There are lightening bolts that hit every age group. Heartache and disappointment knock on everyone's door sooner or later. You could very easily be in a world of tough stuff right now. Perhaps you unemployed or under-employed? How do you cope with life now? Is it working?
Jesus is greatest story ever told. Some consider Him a crutch that weak people need to get through their Mondays. I know Him to be quite different than that. Jesus is alive and well and will return to reign as King of Kings on this earth! Jesus permanently changes hundreds of thousands of lives all over the world every year. The more that a nation experiences oppression, the more you see evidence of Jesus delivering freedom. People are being set free by Jesus as every hour passes. Just take 13 minutes and listen to Andy Stanley speak about The Message of Jesus. New life always begins by trusting and making a simple step to follow that lead. I challenge you to investigate Jesus for yourself.
Praying for you! May the Lord God of heaven and earth bless you all with abundant life!
NikonSniper Steve
Wanna hear more?
The Message of Jesus II,
The Message of Jesus III,
The Message of Jesus IV,
The Message of Jesus V,
The Message of Jesus VI
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